But some items in the list written by the Home Office left resellers wondering if the civil service could do with some real world, on-the-job experience.

Under the heading Social Sustainability, suppliers were asked: "Does your organisation use any form of corporal punishment?"

The options given to suppliers were simply “yes” or “no”, but our contact wanted to reply, "only on request and at the expense of the employee".

Indeed, some people in Whitehall have been known over the years to enjoy a bit of slap and tickle. And it is worth noting the prior question was, "Does your organisation have a member of staff that is first aid qualified".